Last Wednesday (18th June) we welcomed the Chiltern Society, North Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers to the Glebe in Toddington. On a very hot day they cleared vegetation in the Glebe to make the paths more accessible. Thank fully two out of three tasks were in the shade but after three hours the team set of to the pub to rehydrate! The focus for the work was threefold.
Link though to the Hayfields Development
In the combining months we are working towards creating a link from the Glebe to the new Hayfields development. This will provide the opportunity for the residents of the Hayfields and Bloor homes to access the Glebe and the petrol station. So the task was to clear the vegetation from the existing path to the site boundary. The team used a brush cutter and then a larger mower to cut down the brambles, etc. In the months to come, the developer will create a path as part of their ground work. This work revealed that the land is level and there are no trees in the way, with a suitable gap in the boundary hedge.
Width of the path down the slope
We cut back brambles and nettles over the autumn/winter, but the blackthorn and trees needed further cutting. This has further widened the path. The team inspected the bushes and trees for nests before cutting, none were found – although a bees nest was found – so this bit of tree/brush has been left alone!
Path through to Willow Way
When we were surveying this work a few months ago we were approached by residents about taking out the hedge alongside the path in the highway verge. After consultation with neighbours, the work was included in scope. It removes a persistent maintenance issue and improves the visibility and width availabel to users.
As sufficient volunteers turned out on Wednesday, this was completed using hand saws & loppers. Some of the roots remain but it was too hot to start digging – a challenge for another day. A bag of litter, everything from glass bottles, plastic bottles to crisp packets was filled during the morning, primarily from the hedge to Willow Way.
Thanks to the volunteers who came to Toddington. The many walkers expressed positive comments about the work. Follow the link to the North Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers if you would like to join them on their twice monthly tasks in CBC and Dacorum council areas.